Operating mechanism for high voltage electric circuit interrupting devices



May 12, 1953 s. 1. LINDELL 2,638,003

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT INTERRUPTINGDEVICES Filed Feb. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

& I?

May 12, 1953 s. 1. LINDELL 2,533,003

' OPERATING MECHANISM FOR HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT INTERRUPTINGDEVICES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15, 1950 IN VENT0R. fi gard [.ZLIZM,W

y 12, 1953 s. l. LINDELL OPERATING MECHANISM FOR HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICCIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICES Filed Feb. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 s. I.LINDELL 2,638,003 HANISM OR HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC T INT RUP DEVICES F ERTING May 12, 1953 OPERATING M CIR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 15 1950INVENTOR.

yardffazakll, BY W Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICESigurd I. Lindell, Chicago, 111., assignor to S & C Electric Company,Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application February 15, 1950,Serial No. 144,297

This invention relates, generally, to operating mechanisms fortranslating motion to efiect certain operations, and it has particularrelation to snap acting devices for operating high voltage electricpower switches and the like.

When disconnecting type electric power switches are provided with loadinterrupter devices to effect the final load current interruption onopening and to effect the initial circuit completion on closing, thefunctioning of the load interrupter device should take place at highspeed. This reduces arcing time to a minimum with a consequent decreasein erosion of the contacts and associated arc extinguishing material.There is then a corresponding increase in the operating life of theinterruptin deviceand a reduction in the cost of maintaining it inproper operating condition. This is particularly the case whererelatively high load currents are interrupted and also where there is ahigh inrush current and arcing between the contacts of the load.interrupter device when the circuit voltage is of the order of severalthousand volts.

Among the objects of this invention are: To operate a driven memberconnected to an electric switch or the like for moving the same with asnap action on operation of a driving member without regard to its speedof movement; to interconnect the driven and driving members through aspring; to hold the driven member against movement while the drivingmember is moved to tension the spring; to pretension the spring so thatmovement of the driving member additionally tensions it; to release thedriven member for movement when the driving member reaches apredetermined position; to provide a positive rigid connection betweenthe driven and driving members under certain operating condiditions; tomount the driven member for rotation in such manner that its movement isunimpeded by friction engendered by operation of the driving member; toaccomplish this by journalling the driven and driving membersindependently of each other; to transmit torque between the driven anddriving members through a torsion spring; to employ a hollow operatingshaft for the driven member and mount the driving member at one end torock about the same axis; and to position the torsion spring within thehollow operating shaft and connect it at one end to the driving memberand at the other end to the shaft at the end away from the drivingmember.

Other objects of this invention will, in part, be obvious and in partappear hereinafter.

This invention is disclosed in the embodiment 9 Claims. (Cl. 74-100)thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and it comprises the featuresof construction. combination of elements and arrangement of parts whichwill be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and thescope of the application of which will be indicated in the appendedclaims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of thisinvention, reference may be had to the following detailed description,taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a View in front elevation of a three phase interrupterswitch arranged for remote manual operation in which the presentinvention is incorporated;

Figure 2 is a view, in side elevation, of the switch and operatingmechanism illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view, at an enlarged scale, of the right hand end of thesnap acting operating mechanism, as viewed in Figure 1, the connectionthereto by the remote manually operable mechanism being omitted;

Figure 4 is a view at an enlarged scale, showing the arrangement of thelatch at the right hand end of the operating shaft as viewed in Figure1;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5of Figure 3, the details of the latch mechanism being omitted;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken generally along the line 66 ofFigure 4; and

Figure 7 is a view, similar to Figure 6, but showing the latch mechanismin the latch released position.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, it willbe observed that the reference character Ill designates, generally, athree phase interrupter switch assembly which may include threeinterrupter switch units, each of which is indicated, generally, at H.The details of construction of the interrupter switch units i I form nopart of the present invention. Each interrupter switch unit may beconstructed in accordance with the disclosure of Patent No. 2,351,826,issued June 20, 1944. However, it will be understood that other switchconstructions can be employed in practicing the present invention.

The interrupter switch units II are separated from each other and fromassociated apparatus by insulating barriers I2. Each of the switch unitstincludes insulators 13 which support line terminals !4 at their outerends. A switch blade I5 is hinged on a hinge boss It to the lower lineterminal 24 and is arranged to engage "a stationary contact H carried bythe upper line terminal I4. Each of the switch units H includes a loadinterrupter device, indicated generally at I8, the details ofconstruction or" which are set forth in the patent above referred to. Aflexible shunt contact [9 is carried by the switch blade i5 and isarranged to complete the circuit through the load interrupter device l8while the switch unit H is being operated to interrupt load current orto close the circuit and permit load current to flow.

The interrupter switch units 1 i may be mounted on a frame, indicatedgenerally at 22, that may be formed of angle iron. For example, theframe 22 may include side angles 23 and cross angles 24 which are weldedtogether to provide a unitary construction. The frame 22 may be mountedon cross members 25 which, in turn, are carried by suitable uprights 26.

Provision is made for gang operation of the interrupter switch units 1I. For this purpose an insulating link 21 is pivotally connected at 28to each of the switch blades I5. At its other end the insulating link2'! is pivotally connected to an arm 30 which is fast on a hollowoperating shaft -31. It will be understood that three arms 30 areclamped to the hollow operating shaft 31 one for each of the switchunits 1 l. The hollow operating shaft 3| is journalled near its ends onbearing plates 32 which are welded to the inner edges of the side angles23.

Any suitable mechanism can be provided for operating the interrupterswitch units l I from a remote point. If desired, in accordance with thepresent invention, a motor operating mechanism can be used such as anelectric or a fluid motor. For simplicity a manual operating mechanismis disclosed herein. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 this mechanism includesan operating handle 35 which is pivoted at 36 on a suitable support 31.An adjustable link 38 is pivoted at 39 to the operat handle 35 at oneend and at the other end it is pivoted at 40 to an arm 4| which extendsfrom a coupling member 42 that is clamped to an extension of anoperating member, to be described hereinafter, which forms a part of thesnap acting operating mechanism constituting the present invention.

In Figure 5 there are shown more clearly the details of construction ofthe hollow operating shaft 3|, its mounting in the frame 22 on thebearing plates 32 and the manner in which torque is transmitted thereto.As there illustrated, a sleeve 46 is secured to the right hand end ofthe hollow operating shaft 3i. This may be done by keying or by weldingas may be desired. The sleeve 46 abuts a bearing 47 which is carried byone of the bearing plates 32. Near the left hand end the hollowoperating shaft 3i is mounted on a bearing 48 which is secured theretoby a bolt 48, The bearing 48 is journalled in the other bearing plate32, as shown. At the outer or left hand end of the hollow operatingshaft 3| a spring anchor 53 is secured thereto by a bolt 5!. The springanchor at has a kerf 52 in its outer end for receiving a suitable toolto permit pretensioning of a spring which is engaged by the other end ofthe spring anchor 50. At its other end the spring anchor 59 has a slot53 for receiving a torsion bar spring 54. While the spring 54 isillustrated as being rectangular in cross section, it will be understoodthat other shapes, such as a circular torsion bar spring, can beemployed if desired.

It will be observed that the torsion bar spring 54 extends substantiallythe full length of the 4 hollow operating shaft 3| and that it is guidedtherein by fibre spacers 55 which facilitate assembling the torsionspring 54 and the anchor 53 in the hollow shaft 3!.

At its other or outer end the torsion bar spring ,54 extends into a slot543 of an pperating mel her 5?. The operating member 5? is arranged tobe rotated by the operating mechanism, such as the operating handle 35,to transmit torque to the hollow operating shaft 3! and move the switchblades 15 "of the interrupter switch units it to and from the switchclosed position. The inanner in which this is accomplished will bedcscribed presently.

As shown more clearly in Figure 5 the oper ating member 51 is journalledin a bearing 53 that is carried by the upstanding flange of the righthand side angle 23 and secured thereto by bolts '59. It is noted herethat the operating member 5'! is journalled entirely independently ofthe bearing support for the hollow operating shaft 31. There is then nofriction drag on the movement of the hollow operating shaft 31 resultingfrom pressure which exists between the operating member 57 and itsbearing 53 when the spring 54 is tensioned or further tensioned duringthe operation of the switch units 1 l. The operating member 57 has ahollow extension 60 which projects beyond the right hand side angle 23to permit mechanical attachment of the coupling member 42 so that theoperating member 5? can be rocked on movement of the operating handle35.

With a view to permitting some degree of movement of the operatingmember 57 while the hollow operating shaft 3! is held stationary for thepurpose of tensionin-g or additionally tensioning the torsion bar spring54, the sleeve 46 is provided with a radial aperture 53, Figures 6 and'7, for receiving a detent 64 that is carried by a latch member 55. Thelatch member 55 is pivoted on a bolt 66 which extends through theupstanding flange of the right hand side angle 23 and the adjacentbearing plate as shown more clearly in Figure 4. Surrounding the bolt 6Ea latch spring 61 one end of which bears against the fiat portion of theright hand side angle 23 and the other end bears against the latchmember 65 to bias it in a counter clockwise direction as viewed inFigures 6 and 7 and to hold the detent 64 in the aperture 63.

In order to lift the latch member 35 so as to withdraw the detent 64carried thereby from the aperture 63 and permit the hollow operatingshaft 3| to rotate with a snap action for opening the switch blades IS,the latch member is provided with cam followers 68. Two are provided topermit the use of the same latch member 55 for mounting on the oppositeside of the frame 22. The latch member 65 is arranged to be rocked in aclockwise direction by a cam 69 which is formed integrally with theoperating member 57. As shown in Figure 6 the cam 69 has a fiat camsurface 10 which, in the position that is shown, permits the spring 61to hold the detent 34 in the aperture 63.

Now, when the operating member 51 and the cam 69 are rocked in acounterclockwise directron as indicated by the arrow H. Figure 7, onmovement of the operating handle 35 in a similar direction as indicatedby the arrow 12, Figure 2, the fiat cam surface 10 is rocked to theposition shown in Figure 7. In this movement of the cam surface 10, thecam follower 68 in engagement therewith is rocked outwardly so as tolift the detent 54 out of the aperture 63. the detent 64, by its beingpositioned in the apering shaft 3 Previously ture 53, had prevented therocking movement of the hollow operating shaft 3| while the spring 54was being tensioned or further tensioned by rotation of the operatingmember 51 on movement of the operating handle 35.

It is desirable that provision be made for moving the switch blades I5conjointly with the movement of the operating handle 35 toward thespaced shoulders I3 and 74 are provided on the sleeve 45 as illustratedmore clearly in Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. Cooperating withthese shoulders is a boss '15, Figure 3, that is formed integrally withthe operating member 51'.

When the switch blades I5 are to be moved to the closed position, theends of the boss I5 are in engagement with the shoulders I3, as shown inFigure 3. Then when the operating handle 35 is rocked in a clockwisedirection, the hollow operating shaft 3I moves with the operating member51 as a unit to swing the switch blades I5 to the closed position.

In the event that, when the switch blades I5 are being opened, theyshould be retarded for any reason such as corrosion or sleet or iceconditions, there is the possibility that, even when the detent 54 iswithdrawn from the aperture 53, the torsion spring 54 may not havesufficient strength to break the switch blades it loose.

Accordingly, when this occurs, the ends of the boss engage the shouldersM and establish a direct interconnection between the operating member 5!and the hollow operating shaft 3!. Then, as Soon as the switch blades I5are broken loose, the torsion spring 54 normally will have sufficientpower to effect continued movement .of the switch blades 15 with a snapaction and spring 5d so that it is additionally tensioned when theoperating member 51 is rocked while the hollow operating shaft isrestrained from movement by engagement of the detent 64 with the sleeve45 which is fast on the hollow operatof the operating handle 35, thetorison bar spring 5 i 1s tensioned additionally to perform itssubsequent snap action in rocking the hollow operating shaft 3I andswinging the switch blades i5 toward the open position.

It will be understood, however, that the present invention may bepracticed without pretensioning the torsion bar spring 54. Likewise, ifdesired, a second latch or its equivalent then can be provided similarto the latch member 65 together with a suitable cam actuator therefor onIt is for this purpose that the 6 the operating member 51. In such casethe snap action can be obtained for both closing and opening of theswitch blades I5.

As indicated hereinbefore, the construction shown in the drawings isarranged for either right hand or left hand mounting. For this reasontwo apertures 53 are provided in the sleeve 46 as shown in Figures 6 and7. Also, as indicated hereinbefore, two cam followers 58 are provided onthe latch member 55 to permit opposite hand mounting. Since the flat camsurface it is symmetrical with respect to the detent 64, as viewed inFigure 6, it can be employed Without change for left hand mounting. Theleft hand side angle 63 is constructed so as to receive the hearing 58for the left hand mounting.

Since certain changes can be made in the foregoing construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter shownin the accompanying drawings and. described hereinbefore shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A snap acting device comprising. in combination, a rockably mounteddriving member, a driven member, bearing means rockably mounting saiddriven member about the axis of rotation of said driving member andindependently thereof so that each member is freely mov able withrespect to the other member, a main spring interconnecting said members,a latch member pivotally mounted to rock about an axis parallel to saidaxis of rotation and acting to prevent movement of said driven member, acam on said driving member, a cam follower on said latch member, and alatch spring cooperating with said latch member and biasing said camfollower into engagement with said cam, said driving member beingrockable through a predetermined arc to tension said main spring whilesaid driven member is restrained by said latch member until said camoperates said latch member out of engagement with said driven memberwhereupon said driven member is rocked with a snap action by said mainspring in the same direction that said driving member was rocked; andarcuately spaced shoulders on one of said members, and a cooperatingboss on the other of said members whereby direct driving engagementtherebetween is had when said driving member has rocked through said areand said. latch means no longer prevents movement of said driven memberand direct driving engagement therebetween also is had when said drivingmemher is rocked in the opposite direction.

2. A snap acting device comprising, incombination, a rockably mounteddriving member, a tubular driven member, bearing means rockably mountingsaid driven member free of said driving member about its axis ofrotation, a torsion spring extending from said driving member in thesame direction that said driving member was rocked.

3. A snap acting device comprising, in combination, a rockably mounteddriving member, a tubular driven member, bearing means rockably mountingsaid driven member free of said driving member about its axis ofrotation, a torsion spring extending from said driving member into saidtubular driven member and constituting a driving connectiontherebetween, latch means acting to prevent movement of said drivenmember, a cam on said driving member for operating said latch means,said driving member being rockable through a predetermined arc totension said torsion spring while said driven member is restrained bysaid latch means until said cam operates the same whereupon said drivenmember is rocked with a snap action by said torsion spring in the samedirection that said driving member was rocked; and arcuately spacedshoulders on one of said members, and acooperating boss on the other ofsaid members whereby direct driving engagement therebetwcen is had whensaid driving member has rocked through said are and said latch means nolonger prevents movement of said driven member and direct driving engagement therebetween also is had when said driving member is rocked in theopposite direction.

4. A snap acting device comprising, in com bination, a rockably mounteddriving member, a

tubular driven member, bearing means rockably mounting said drivenmember free of said driving member about its axis of rotation, a torsionspring extending from said driving member axially into said tubulardriven member and connected thereto at a point remote from said 01'iving member to provide a driving connection therebetween, a latchmember rockably mounted about an axis parallel to said axis of rotationof said driving and driven members, a latch spring biasing said latchmember into latching engagement with said driven member, and a cam onsaid driving member for operating said latch men.- ber, said drivingmember being rockabl through a predetermined arc to tension said torsionspring while said driven member is restrained by said latch member untilsaid cam operates the same whereupon said driven member is rocked with asnap action by said torsion spring in the same direction that saiddriving member was rocked.

5. A snap acting device comprising, in combination, a rockably mounteddriving member, a tubular driven member, bearing means rockably mountingsaid driven member free of said driving member about its axis ofrotation, a tor sion spring extending from said driving memher into saidtubular driven member and con stituting a driving connectiontherebetween, a latch member rockably mounted about an axis parallel tosaid axis of, rotation of said driving and driven members, a latchspring biasing said latch member into latching engagement with saiddriven member, a cam on said driving member for operating said latchmember, said driving member being rockable through a predetermined arcto tension said torsion spring While said driven member is restrained bysaid latch member until said cam operates the same whereupon said drivenmember is rocked with a snap action by said torsion spring in the samedirection that said driving member was rocked; and arcuately spacedshoulders on one of said members, and a cooperating boss on the other ofsaid members whereby direct driving engagement therebetween is had whensaid driving member has rocked through said arc and said latch means nolonger prevents movement of said driven member and direct drivingengagement therebetween also is had when said driving member is rockedin the opposite direction.

6. A snap acting device comprising, in combination, a rockably mounteddriving member, a tubular driven member, bearing means rockably mountingsaid driven member free of said d iving member about its axis ofrotation, a torsion spring extending from said driving member axiallyinto said tubular driven member and connected thereto at a point remotefrom said driving member to provide a driving connection therebetween, alatch member rockably mounted about an axis parallel to said axis ofsaid driving and driven members, a detent carried by said latch memberfor insertion into an aperture in said driven member, a latch springbiasing said latch member to hold said detent in latching position insaid aperture, and a cam on said driving member for operating said latchmemher to withdraw said detent from said aperture, said driving memberbeing rockable through a predetermined are to tension said torsionspring while said driven member is restrained by said latch member untilsaid cam operates the same whereupon said driven member is rocked with asnap action by said torstion spring in the same direction that saiddriving member was rocked.

'7. snap acting device comprising, in combination, a rockably mounteddriving member, a tubular driven member, bearing means rockabl'ymounting said driven member free of said driving member about its axisof rotation with one end juxtaposed thereto, a torsion spring secured atone end to and extending from said driving member axially into saidtubular driven member and secured thereto near its other end at a pointremote from said driving member to provide a driving connection betweensaid driving and driven members, latch means acting to prevent movementof said driven member, and a cam on said driving member for operat ingsaid latch means, said driving member being rockable through apredetermined arc to tension said torsion spring while said drivenmember is restrained by said latch means until said cam operates thesame whereupon said driven member is rocked with a snap action by saidtorsion spring in the same direction that said driving member wasrocked.

8. A snap acting mechanism for interconnection between a switch and anoperating memher to operate the former with a snap action when thelatter is operated comprising, in 0mm bination, a rockably mounteddriving member adapted to be connected to said operating memher, atubular driven member, an arm fast on said tubular driven member adaptedto be connected to said switch, bearing means rockably -mounting saiddriven member free of said driving member about its axis of rotation, atorsion spring extending from said. driving member axially into saidtubular driven member and connected thereto at a point remote from saiddriving member to provide a driving connection therebetween, latch meansacting to prevent movement of said driven member, and a cam on saiddriving member for operating said latch means, said driving member beingrockable through a predetermined arc to tension said torsion springwhile said driven member is restrained by said latch means until saidcam operatesthe same whereupon said driven member is rocked with a snapaction by said torsion spring in the same direction that said drivingmember was rocked.

9. A. snap acting device comprising, in combination, a rockably mounteddriving member, a driven member, bearing means rockably mounting saiddriven member about the axis of rotation or said driving member andindependently thereof so that each member is freely movable with respectto the other member, a spring interconnectingsaid members, latch meansacting to prevent movement of said driven member in either direction,cam means on said driving member for operating said latch means, saiddriving member being rockable in either direction through apredetermined arc to tension said spring while said driven member isrestrained by said latch means until said cam operates the samewhereupon said driven member is rocked said are and said latch means nolonger prevents movement of said driven member.

SIGUR-D I. L-INDELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 635,373 Downes Oct. 24, 1899 665,514 Ely Jan. 8, 19011,760,547 Fisher May 27, 1939 Rowe Apr. 26, 1949

